What is the situation regarding discrimination against children and young people in the Netherlands?

Discrimination means that people are treated differently, disadvantaged or excluded because of certain characteristics, such as their religion, sexual orientation, skin colour or disability. This is not only harmful, but also punishable by law. Discrimination is prohibited.

The report Bullied in loneliness by the Children's Ombudsman shows that 29 percent of bullied children between the ages of 8 and 18 experience discrimination. The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) conducted research into how many young people aged 15 and over have experienced discrimination at school. It shows that 22 percent of them have experienced discrimination, while a further 8 percent suspect that they have been discriminated against. This means that three in ten students feel disadvantaged because they belong to a particular group.

Research shows that some children and young people experience discrimination more often than others. These include:

  • Girls more often than boys
  • Lesbian, homosexual and bisexual young people more often than heterosexual young people
  • Dutch young people with a Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese or Antillean background
  • Young people with a disability more often than young people without a disability

In the SCP study, young people were asked about their feelings of discrimination. It is not important whether these feelings are justified or whether the situations actually involved discrimination in every case. It is a clear signal that many young people feel they are not being treated well. The consequences can be serious, including for children and young people who feel that they have been discriminated against.

Impact of discrimination on health and well-being

Discrimination affects the health and well-being of children and young people. It can lead to loneliness, pain, stress, problematic behaviour, lower self-esteem and a weaker sense of connection with society. Research by the SCP also shows that 9 percent of young people choose a lower level of education than they would have wanted. Another 9 percent say they dropped out of their education because of discrimination. On the other hand, two-thirds of young people say that experiences of discrimination have made them feel stronger.

How can you address discrimination?

Addressing discrimination is complicated. It requires thoughtful action. It helps when discrimination is rejected within a group and there is room for differences. A positive climate in which children and young people address one another in a pleasant way and offer support. This can be in the classroom, on a sports team or at a club, for example. Creating a sense of togetherness contributes to such a positive climate. You can do this by establishing the rules of conduct together and regularly revisiting them. Ask questions such as: How do we want to treat one another here? What do we do if that does not work? How do we interact with one another online?

It helps when children with different characteristics and backgrounds become friends. Collaborative activities can help with this. Books and films about such friendships also contribute. The role of the teacher or group leader is important here. They serve as a role model. Do you work in education? School and Safety lists what you can do as a teacher in primary education, secondary education and vocational education.

Make discrimination open to discussion

It is good to discuss discrimination with children and young people. Be aware that it is a sensitive subject. How do you discuss it in a group? How do you make the conversation safe and accessible? And how do you ensure that the conversation has an impact? We have listed the do's and don'ts for a conversation about discrimination. They are based on the publication What works to reduce discrimination.

Do’s

Encourage children and young people to empathise

Stories of people who have been discriminated against are moving. Encourage children to empathise with these stories. Let children listen to an experience, teach them how to do this, and let them put their own thoughts and feelings, as well as those of the other person, into words. This can also be done by writing a story, poem or drawing. And discuss how they would feel in this situation.

Communicate the desired behaviour, rather than what is going wrong

The message is not that many people discriminate, but that most people want discrimination to stop.

Connect different forms of discrimination

Sometimes children do not see the similarities between different forms of discrimination. For example, exclusion because of a different background can evoke the same feelings in children as exclusion because someone has a disability.

Don’ts

Do not use stereotypes

By mentioning stereotypes, you reinforce them. If you give examples such as ‘All gay men are …’ or ‘Women cannot …’, the associations in the brain are reinforced and you achieve the opposite effect. Even if your intention is to disprove them afterwards.

Do not debate whether or not discrimination is allowed

It is prohibited by law. Treat it as self-evident that discrimination is wrong. Also avoid debating whether everyone is equal.

Do not turn discrimination into a game

For many topics, using a game can be a useful way to help people remember them. Be careful when you want to address discrimination. Do not make discrimination too light-hearted; it is a serious matter, and there is a risk that children will take the subject less seriously if it is treated as a game. Clearly emphasise that there are people who experience discrimination and discuss what the child would feel in this situation.